Ragnar returns to Park City

Relay race to finish at Park City High School

A runner in last year s Ragnar relay race celebrates during one of the many stages of the event. Park Record File Photo

Though the Ragnar relay race will start in Logan on Friday morning, Parkites can expect to see thousands of runners making their way through Summit County during the day on Saturday.

Back for an 11th year, Ragnar will again host a race across the Wasatch Back, culminating in a finish at Park City High School.

The relay, featuring 1,000 teams running 196.5 miles, will send about 11,000 runners across the state and through nearly every town in Summit County.

Ragnar president and co-founder Tanner Bell said he's excited for the 11th year of the Wasatch Back event.

"It's an opportunity for people to get out and experience an adventure, something they don't normally do," he said. "I also think it's an opportunity for people to do something together that they couldn't do on their own."

Though the race, for which registration filled quickly after last year's event, is open to any team that signs up, Bell said there's a chance for spectators to see some elite-level runners as well.

"We're excited this year we have a team called the Clif Barbarians which is full of Clif Bar-sponsored athletes from around the nation," he said. "Scott Jurek is one of the best endurance runners in the world. He's running along with Alex Honnold, a professional climber. And we've got Caroline Gleich, who is a professional big mountain skier. People can come to the finish line and maybe get an autograph or take a peek at those guys."

Yes, the race will affect traffic around Summit County at various times (see info box), but Bell said Ragnar has worked tirelessly on minimizing its impact on communities.

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"We run traffic simulations every year aimed at minimizing the impact on traffic," he said. "We have 21 races a year and we've gotten pretty good at what we do. It hasn't been much of a hindrance in the past and we anticipate this year will be the same."

Bell anticipates a full day of runners crossing the finish line on Saturday, starting early Saturday morning.

"Team starts are staggered, so they'll start as early as 5 a.m. [in Logan] and go all the way through about 5 p.m.," he said. "All the teams run through the night and the first teams finish around 10 a.m. and the last ones finish as late as 8 p.m."

Bell encourages everyone to come out and witness the finish at PCHS, saying it'll be an exciting spectacle.

"It's a great vibe," he said. "It's one of the best parties all year. It's a great chance for people to come celebrate the endurance of the human spirit and have an all-around great time."

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